Ellington School Designs Pass
• April 11, 2014

Modernization designs for the landmark Duke Ellington School of the Arts at 3500 R St., NW, were mostly approved by the D.C. Historic Preservation Review Board at a March 27 meeting.

Part of the board’s evaluations stated: “Many aspects of the revised concept for modernization remain the same as before. The current 176,000 sq. ft. is to be expanded to 237,000 sq. ft., and underground parking for about 100 vehicles will be provided. The existing auditorium is still proposed for complete replacement.”

The board suggested changes at the front porch area facing 35th Street. It approved the concept of a “Sky Lounge” with its setbacks. Such a rooftop area – not a historical consideration – is more a question of use, according to the board. The use of the school’s rooftop is a concern to nearby residents because of the noise potential.

The board did not agree with everything. It did “find certain aspects of the concept consistent with the purposes of the D.C. Historic Landmark and Historic District Protection Act, including the proposed reconstruction of the original entry porches and balustrade; restoration of the granite entry stairs at the base of the portico; insertion of a contemporary Lantern Reading Room within the portico; the proposed treatment of the landscape; the reduced size and plan for the front plaza; and other elements that clearly preserve and/or restore historic fabric” – and – “find the remainder of the concept inconsistent with the Act due to extensive demolition and the size, scale, and massing of the new additions.” The board stated that the project needs to get a “special merit” designation by the mayor to get it going by this summer.

Business Group Hears From Mayoral Candidates
• March 31, 2014

Two mayoral candidates stopped by the Georgetown Business Association reception at the Georgetown Ritz-Carlton on South Street March 19. Reta Jo Lewis spoke to the crowd, reminding them of her government experience. The other candidate was well known to the group: Ward 2 council member Jack Evans, who is also running in the Democratic primary for Mayor of D.C. “The mayor will be indicted,” said Evan, referring to allegations concerning Mayor Vincent Gray. “We’ve been here before,” he said, adding that if the mayor gets re-elected and then indicted, D.C. “will be the laughing stock of America.” Despite such troubling news, the business types still managed to have a good fun at the welcoming Ritz-Carlton. [gallery ids="101679,144182,144161,144179,144185,144166,144170,144174" nav="thumbs"]

Virginia Williams: She Was Our Mama in Washington, D.C.
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It had been two month since Virginia Hayes Williams—Mama Williams to more than just her children, most notably to former two-term District of Columbia Mayor Anthony Williams—passed away in Los Angeles. For the many friends, however, who gathered to celebrate her life at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts March 22, she still seemed like a breath of needed fresh air.

For the eight years that Williams was mayor of this city, his mother acted like another first lady and a second mother to us all. If you met her, there was no such thing as just being a sometime acquaintance. This woman, a gifted and trained singer, and a political junkie and activist to her core, proved to be a force in the city. She was someone you’d never forget, and there were always welcome phone calls just in case you hadn’t talked to her in a while.

In her role as first mom, she gathered her forces together and made her presence known to people who needed her the most: the elderly, students, parents, the less and least fortunate, the homeless. At the same time, she always, always had a song to sing.

Although the words “politics” and “politicians” were mentioned, you could forgive yourself for thinking that maybe the city wasn’t in the middle of a strange, dramatic and compelling primary campaign. It is compelling for all the wrong reasons. Of course, Anthony Williams—“I wish he were running,” a woman whispered behind me”—was there to preside over the memories and stories which filled the air like hymns and talking blues. There were council members and the current Mayor Vincent Gray, leaving whatever clouds trailed behind him outside the door.

The people who came here—Williams and brother Lewis Williams and sisters Jessica and Alexandrea Williams, friends like the two Jans, Jan DuPlain and Jan Staihar, Judith Terra, Catfish Mayfield Hunter, Kenyon McDuffie, Dorothy and Bill McSweeny, Duke Elllington co-founder Peggy Cooper Cafritz, who brought the good news of the establishment of a $1 million Virginia E. Hayes Williams fund for students who excel in opera on behalf of the Eugene B. Casey Foundation—came to celebrate her life and spirit.

Blazingly bright-colored umbrellas dotted the building in memory of Mama Williams autobiographical book, “Living Under God’s Umbrella,” and stories were told and passed around later. Her life was worthy of at least a book. Hers was a journey from one place in Kentucky, to others, to tutelage by music teachers and being told that an African American woman could not (at that time) think of a career in opera, even though as many will recall, she had all the gifts and training for such a career. Instead, she moved to Los Angeles, where she met her husband Lewis Williams III, working at the post office. Together, they raised nine children, including Anthony, who was adopted, and whom she called “God’s child”.

She was passionately political. She ran for office in Los Angeles, unsuccessfully. She supported Tom Bradley, the city’s first African American mayor, and was a key member of Williams’s late-blooming candidacy. Later, she supported Linda Cropp in her bid against Adrian Fenty as well as Gray.

But the stories here weren’t really about politics. They were about song and music—and a big heart and voice which embraced everyone. “I am the mayor’s mother,” she would say, and more often than not start to sing. She believed that if you had something to give—including and especially love—why you must give it. She would sing arias, “Summertime,” gospel songs and “Lift Every Voice and Sing”.

Music sounded through the hallways. We heard the strains of “Amazing Grace” by violinist Nathaniel Heyder, the story of Mama Williams singing “Summertime,” her voice ringing out with each and every verse. We were told by Virginia’s friend Lee Brian Reba that Virginia Williams “loved each and every one of you.”

I believe and know that. When my mother passed after 9/11, Mrs. Williams, whom I had met before, she said to me, “I’m gonna be your momma in Washington.” I believed that, too, and was glad for knowing that.

She was a person whose legacy was a spirit that lets the sun shine and fill the hole in your heart.

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Southwest Waterfront Breaks Ground for $2B Wharf
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Politicians, developers, architects and local residents got together March 19 at the Southwest Waterfront to celebrate the groundbreaking of $2.2-billion mixed use urban project, known as the Wharf, at the Washington Channel.

At 8th and Water Streets, SW, at least 20 persons sat in a stage placed on the Washington Kastles tennis court — to become the yacht piazza — under a tent during the rainy day. After 90 minutes of introductions and speeches, they put their shovels into the ground to start the construction of the first phase of the 40-month construction that will give Washington, D.C. new residences, offices, hotels, restaurants, movie theaters and a 6,000-capacity concert hall — and a marina.

Big names in local real estate and retail included Oliver Carr, Paul and Dan Hoffman, Tom Gilmore, Michael Jones and Dan McCann. Monty Hoffman of PN Hoffman acted as emcee along with David Brainerd of Madison Marquette. On hand was Mayor Vincent Gray, Victor Hoskins, deputy mayor for planning and economic development, and council members Tommy Wells (whose ward the project is in), Jack Evans and Muriel Bowser as well as advisory neighborhood commissioner Andy Linksy. Also in the audience were council members Anita Bonds and Vincent Orange.

Most speakers mentioned the superlatives of the project and how it was a game changer for the District of Columbia. “This is the largest crowd I’ve ever seen for a groundbreaking,” said Gray, who added, “The day will come when the Potomac and the Anacostia are fishable and swimmable.”

Via video, Rep. Darrel Issa, R-Calif., chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, complimented D.C. and called the Wharf project, its “58th crane.” Issa said the project would add to “the resurgence of the greatest city on earth.”

Praising the work of former Ward 6 council member Sharon Ambrose on the waterfront plans, Wells saluted the project’s “superstar team” and said it add a “great mix for a special neighborhood.” Hoffman then introduced Evans as having “served since the last century.” Acknowledging that the idea of the Wharf started years ago, Evans continued the joke and said that he had met with Pierre Lefant and George Washington about it. The longest-serving council member then threw in that he had also spoken with Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass about the project.

Next year, Hoffman said, there would eight new cranes along the mile-long waterfront. Hoskins noted that the total investment for the new waterfront neighborhood would be $6.8 billion. The first phrase should be completed in 2017, and Hoffman said the ribbon cutting would be in 40 months.

“We won’t need a casino to keep it afloat,” said the local ANC’s Litsky, referring to National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md.
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Georgetown House Tour Set for April 26; Patrons’ Party, April 23
• March 30, 2014

Celebrating its 83rd year, the Georgetown House Tour is the oldest, most prestigious house tour in the country. The tour gives locals and visitors the opportunity to view a selection of historic homes. This year’s Georgetown House Tour, hosted by historic St. John’s Episcopal Church, Georgetown Parish, is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 26. Nine historic residences will be on the tour.

Barbara Wolf and Colman Riddell are co-chairing this year’s tour. “This year’s highly informational walking tour will provide an opportunity to take in all the history and beauty of Georgetown,” Wolf said. “It provides a unique glimpse of Georgetown’s impressive architecture and the stories behind the bricks and mortar that make Georgetown so special.” Added Riddell: “This year’s tour showcases Georgetown’s distinctive homes, gardens and culture.”

A House Tour preview get-together was held March 19 at the 33rd Street home of Richard and Colman Riddell.

The tour includes two P Street homes on the west side and another on the east side as well as a home on 34th Street, two on O Street and one on Q Street. Also on the list is the George Town Club on Wisconsin Avenue, with club president Sharon Casey on hand. Homeowners include Stephany and Brewster Knight, Claire and Tony Florence, Soula Proxenos and Bruce O’Brien, Nelson Cunningham, Ambassador Jenonne Walker, Ann Goodman and Carrington and Jake Tarr.

The Patrons’ Party for the tour will be on April 23 at the Dumbarton Street home of Jeffrey and Elizabeth Powell. The tour’s main sponsor is TTR Sotheby’s International Realty.
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DMV Office to Open on M Street April 29
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A D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles service center will return to M Street in the Georgetown Park retail space.

“The opening is tentatively scheduled for April 29,” said Vanessa Newton, DMV public affairs specialist, who added, “There will now be a D.C. DMV service center in every quadrant of the city.” The new space will be larger than the previous center. The street entrance – also for the Washington Sports Club and DSW – will be at the M Street corner across from Dean & DeLuca. Visitors will go down one level to enter the center. The address that various businesses use at the retail complex is 3222 M St., NW.

Suspect in Rudd Disappearance Also Had Contact With Other Girls at Shelter
• March 28, 2014

Today’s updates on missing eight-year-old Relisha Rudd were released at a press conference held around 1:30 p.m., during which, Metropolitan Police revealed that it is now sure that Tatum had contact with up to four girls at the homeless shelter where he worked and where Relisha’s family had been living.

During a March 27 press conference near Kenilworth Park, D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier said, “We cannot ignore the possibility that he may have killed her.” Lanier was referring to janitor Kahlil Malik Tatum, the suspected abductor, who worked at the shelter, where Rudd and her mother lived. D.C. police also labeled their efforts “a recovery operation.”

The search at Kenilworth Park resumed this morning, after it was suspended Thursday night following 12 hours of inconclusive searching. Just after 7 a.m., D.C. Fire Department and Emergency Services, the Metropolitan Police Department and a K-9 unit conducted a “grid search” of the vast wooded 700-acre area.

After information was disclosed which tracked Tatum to the Kenilworth Park area, investigators began the search. Investigators also reported that on March 2, a day after Rudd was last seen, Tatum spent considerable time in Kenilworth Park. In addition, according to NBC4 News, on March 2 he had purchased suspicious items like garbage bags, a shovel, and lime, which can be used to speed up the decomposition of bodies as well.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Relisha Rudd or Kahlil Tatum is asked to call 911or the Command Information Center at 202-727-9099 or 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324).

Commuter Alert : DDOT Shuts Down Part of Canal Road
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Commuters who plan to drive westbound on Canal Road, NW, can expect delays today because of a problem in road stability. Back-ups may also affect M Street, NW, traffic.

The District Department of Transportation closed the westbound lane of Canal Road, NW, between Foxhall Road and Reservoir Road around noon. A small indentation in the pavement at the intersection of Reservoir and Canal Roads near Fletcher’s Boathouse has DDOT engineers inspecting the road.

“It’s a grower,” said Paul Hoffman, DDOT project manager for Wards 3 and 4. Hoffman said DDOT was aware of the road depression earlier. One of its workers checked at the beginning of the week. The agency decided to call for the closure today.

During non-rush hours, westbound traffic on Canal Road NW was being directed west to Foxhall Road, NW, and then west onto MacArthur Boulevard, NW, and then south on Arizona Avenue NW to reconnect with Canal Road, NW.

Only one lane outbound for the evening rush towards Maryland will be now allowed. Commuters can also access Canal Road by driving west on Reservoir Road to the intersection at Canal Road.

DDOT will assess the problem, but expect road work at this intersection for some time.
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Student Arrested for Possession of Ricin
• March 27, 2014

Georgetown University student Daniel Milzman, 19, was arrested March 21 for possession of ricin, a highly toxic and sometimes fatal biological substance, which was found by police in his dormitory room at the university’s main campus. No one was harmed.

“If convicted of possession of a biological toxin, he could face up to 10 years in prison,” reported the student newspaper, the Hoya. Other excerpts: “… Tests at two labs, one run by the D.C. government and the other by the Department of Homeland Security, confirmed the substance was ricin. … In total, Milzman had 123 milligrams of the substance in his possession; within that, the concentration of toxin was 7.7 micrograms per milligram. According to the affidavit, a lethal dose of ricin is approximately three to five micrograms if the substance is inhaled or injected and 20 milligrams per kilogram if ingested. … The affidavit paints a picture of Milzman working alone in his room, wearing goggles and a dust mask, both of which were later seized by the FBI. Milzman produced the ricin a month ago and stored it in his room in plastic bags.”

While some have speculated that Milzman might have wanted to harm another student, the FBI says it has no such information on motives. Milzman’s father works for MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and his brother also attends Georgetown.

S&R Foundation Launches Halcyon Incubator; Awards Gala on May 31
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The S&R Foundation has announced the set-up of its Halcyon Incubator, headquartered at Halcyon House at 3400 Prospect St., NW. The foundation is also celebrating its Washington Awards Gala at Halcyon House on May 31, when the freshly renovated 18th-century architectural gem will be reintroduced to the city after more than two years without a major public event.

The Washington Awards Gala highlights S&R’s musical programs and young artists at Evermay on 28th Street, NW. “We are proud to recognize this talented group of artists,” says Sachiko Kuno, president of S&R Foundation. We’ve had the pleasure of introducing past Washington Award winners to sold-out audiences through our Overtures Concert Series, and look forward to supporting the 2013 winners in furthering their careers.”

The foundation’s scientific side will get new prominence at Halcyon House, which Kuno and her husband Ryuji Ueno brought in 2012, after they purchased Evermay in 2011.

The ambitious goal is to empower talented social entrepreneurs, says S&R Foundation COO Kate Goodall. “The Halcyon Incubator pulls on the rich and diverse communities that define Washington, D.C., and engenders an unrivaled opportunity to incubate transformational social ventures in the nation’s capital.”

According to Goodall, the foundation will offer “a 12- to 16-month fellowship, including a four-month residency, eight months of rent-free workspace, complimentary strategic, legal and PR support, mentors, as well as access to a network of potential funders from all sectors.” Applications are due May 1 for the 2014 fall residency that starts in September.